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Tonight's vote is nothing less than a stunning victory for the American people. After more than a year of contentious debate, where opponents of health care reform engaged in exaggerations, misinformation, disinformation and in many cases outright lies, finally legislators came to the conclusion that politics is not about getting elected for the sake of getting re-elected, politics is about making peoples' lives better. And that ideal triumphed today.

Millions of American families will sleep better from here on out knowing they will be able to provide their children health coverage that is affordable and that protects them even if they have a pre-existing condition. It provides millions more with coverage that was out of their financial reach until today. And it reduces the deficit and bends the cost curve of a system that was spiraling out of control and that was putting Americans and America's small businesses on the path of financial ruin if we did nothing.

It was not an easy task or an easy vote but it was an essential task and the right vote for those who voted for it. They and this president have no doubt made history tonight. And Americans will be better off because of it.

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